Health workers in Montenegro have been informed about the possible occurrence of anaphylactic reactions in patients who receive medicine in the form of injections against multiple sclerosis.
It is about the drug "glatiramer acetate", and the letter to health workers was sent by the holder of the license for the drug "copaxone", the company Evropa Lek Pharma and the Montenegrin Institute for Medicines and Medical Devices (CInMED).
"Anaphylactic reactions can occur after the use of 'glatiramer acetate', even months or years after the start of the use of this medicine. Cases with a fatal outcome have been reported. Patients and caregivers should be advised how to recognize the signs and symptoms of anaphylactic reactions, as well as to seek emergency medical help in such cases," the letter states. Health workers were also recommended to stop treatment with "glatiramer acetate" in case of anaphylactic reactions.
The letter also states that reactions to this drug occur occasionally (1 in 1.000 to 1 in 100 patients). The company Evropa Lek Farma and CInMED point out that it is very important to inform patients and their caregivers about potential reactions, considering what type of reaction it is, but also about the possibility of receiving therapy at home.
"Some of the signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction may coincide with the signs and symptoms of an immediate post-injection reaction, leading to a potential delay in the recognition of an anaphylactic reaction," the letter to healthcare workers reads.
The most important symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction are itching and reddening of the skin, difficulty breathing, cough, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tachycardia, drop in pressure, arrhythmia, weakness, chills, dilated pupils, anxiety, impaired consciousness, fainting and coma. .
In Montenegro, the drugs "glatiramer acetate" of 20 and 40 mg/ml are available to patients with multiple sclerosis.
According to the data of the Clinical Center of Montenegro (KCCG), about 800 people in Montenegro suffer from multiple sclerosis. On an annual level, this disease is discovered in 40 to 70 new patients.
On the list of medicines in Montenegro, there are about 15 medicines, immunomodulatory therapy for patients with multiple sclerosis. Monthly therapy for one patient is from 800 to 1.200 or 1.400 euros.
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